Daily Devotional, Genesis 11, 12 Lessons from The Tower and Lies

 

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 11, 12

The Tower and Lies

In Chapter 11 we read about how the people wanted to build a tower to the Heaven's.  On the surface one may think, "what's the big deal?"  But we have to see God's plan.  God desired for the people to move beyond where they were to a place he would have them in order to accomplish his purposes. Ironically in the New Testament we see where God brings people together through the gift of tongues on the Day of Pentecost, but here, in this time, God wanted something different. The question I think of regarding myself here is am I at the place doing the things God wants me to do. We need to all remember, there is often times, a purpose God has for us that is beyond where we are presently at. When need be, God will do what is necessary to move us to the place we need to be. 

Then we see the story in chapter 12 of Abram and Sarai.  Abram realized how beautiful his wife is and tells a big ol lie in order to protect himself out of fear.  Of course there is much more to the story, but Abram convinces Sarai to present herself to the Egyptians as his sister and not his wife. That is how it is with many of us. We justify the lie out of fear of the unknown, in this case that Abram would be killed so they would take his wife. Little did he know, that for a period of time, his lie caused just that to happen. The king took Sarai because he thought she was Abram's sister.  He later came to find out through tragic events that she was really Abram's wife. 

What are the reasons we use to lie.  There is an old saying that the truth will find you out. I used to tell my kids, that while they might get in trouble for something they did, they would get in far worse trouble if they lied to me about it, it was always better to tell the truth.

We have to ask ourselves, why the lie? What is the good of it?  What will I really gain from the lie?  I've had to deal with this in my life. A part of it was the desire to be accepted. It was upon realizing that Christ accepted me as I am that I begin to lie less and now, lying is one of the things that I despise. It's how funny how God moves one from one place to another, for the reasons he does. Whether that be the desire to be at the place God wants us or because of a lie that was told. We all need to remember, God loves us despite…. despite the whatever. While there are more times than not consequences for actions, or inactions, it doesn't change the love God has for us. Therefore, may we seek to be at the place God desires and to be truthful in all things.

To see Genesis Chapter 11 and 12 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+11%2C+12&version=CEV

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Who Are You?

Over the years I know people think they know me, but truth is, few do.  As an example, let's see how well you know me.  Of the following items, which ones are true, which are not true?

1) I have appeared on National Television at least 2X's

2) I have been quoted in Time Magazine

3) I have spoken to over 26,000 people on one occasion, and 10,000 plus on at least 5 occasions

4) I have contributed and been published in Psychology Today and The Psychosocial Journal

5) I played pro soccer for 6 years, and premiere soccer until I was 38

6) I played soccer for 2 years with the Tulsa Roughnecks

7) I have coached NCAA National Wrestling Champions

8) I was a boxer in High School

9) I am friends with many former and recent Olympic Wrestling Competitors

10) I have written 1 book and contributed to 4 other books

11) I was in a gang

12) I have been homeless

13) I was endorsed in a political election by Al Gore, The National Right To Life and the NAACP

14) I have confronted 2 governors about their policies face to face, one after they were governor, one while they were governor

15) I served on a Presidential Task Force for the Hiring of Persons with Disabilities

16) I served on a Federal Task Force regarding Fair and Reasonable Accommodations for The American's With Disabilities Act, (ADA)

17) I lived in a YMCA Transient Center for approximately a little over 2 years

18) I have had writings appear on the official web sites of George Romero, Johnny Depp, and Stephen Spielberg

19) I have appeared in 4 movies

20) All of the above are true

The answers to which of the above are true and which is not true will follow at the end of the post.

The truth is, there are many more things I could share that are true that people would have a  hard time believing and many things that people think are true which are false. People like to make assumptions though don't they? They think they know you and in reality don't, or if they do, there is always so much more they don't know.

Truth is I am not who I used to be and am so different in so many ways it is unbelievable.  I kind of muse at times at people who think they can pull things over my eyes through their manipulative behavior or where they think I am not smart enough to figure things out as to what they are doing.  I don't give much credence to IQ testing but my IQ test has me test out to a superior level. I always wondered how someone who failed in school like I did could be smart?  This doesn't mean much to me though other than to say I am smart enough to sometimes figure out a persons intentions and what they are really up to. It also means I am smart enough to not try to compartmentalize people. I have made drastic changes in my life; myself, and thankfully others along the way have benefited. I care about that, in the past I would have cared less but God has the ability to bring about change to the unchangeable.

I was a thug, a punk, a bully. Most people who know me now couldn't have stood me. At times some of those attitudes of, "I don't care what you think," still come about, sometimes the confrontations come out, but I hesitate, I think, I hold back what would have at one time been certain inappropriate responses. I'll be honest, for those who try to manipulate or control me, I kind of laugh, thinking, if you only knew. I come from a family that is strong, a family of Alpha's if you will who over the years where the men and women seldom took crap from anyone. 

Now why do I say this? It is simple; if I am that difficult to figure out, if I have had to learn to manipulate, create and figure out others and myself to maintain my own sanity, I figure there are others who have done the same. We do what we must to survive as the human desire to survive takes us to places we never imagined. We will eat, drink and do unimaginable things to survive. Yet, in that willingness to do unimaginable things, sometimes the issue of pride is what holds us back. Pride is one of those determining traits that can lead us down the path of destruction, whether it be relationships, opportunity, potential, or even a major thing, like eternity. 

You see many are unwilling to look adequately at who they are, why they are the way they are, and ultimately, give that over and become a slave to the person of Jesus. It comes down to realizing, I am nothing, He, (Jesus) is everything. I am a slave, He, (Jesus) is my master. At that point we come to the place where we realize the potential of change, not to be who our environment or situation makes us to be, but to be the person God wants us to be.

It is one of those areas where people who are not followers of Jesus don't understand. The Christian or follower of Jesus puts all of their trust, all of their value in Christ, He is the one we emulate. Others will and do think they know God but the truth is, they have never opened the Bible to do serious study on God. They may have heard a sermon, albeit from a horrible teacher a time or two but they have never seriously investigated the truth of what the Bible says themselves. When they say things like, "You should never judge," or "The Bible contradicts itself," or any number of things we may have heard, we know they have never opened or studied the Bible because the things they say the Bible says, it clearly doesn't.

Here is the challenge, while we may have had many experiences, those experiences do not make us who we are. I am not who I was and while there is value in the things I have done, there is more value in who I am now and what I will do tomorrow. My eternity is secure, I know that! It is secure because I no longer live for me, I live for the creator of the universe. Am I perfect in my ability to follow him? Heck no, but I am on my journey. While I am not sinless, I sin less today than I did yesterday and hopefully will sin less tomorrow than I will today. That is the journey that leads me to the place where the things of Jesus matter. It is a journey that understands, it is no longer I who live but Christ Jesus who lives in me. That is the challenge for all of us that follow Jesus isn't it? What an honor to let Jesus show and shine through our lives. We get to the place where we want to be like him as opposed to being who we are or what others think we should be. At that point, when people ask, Who are you, we can say;  "A disciple and follower of Jesus." Who are you? 

Just in case you may have forgot, the answers to the above questions follow: 

Here are the answers to the above questions.  #1 - 4 True, #5, sort of true, I played semi pro soccer for Texas Instruments and Umbro International against various premiere, select, and college teams for 6 years., #6 False, although I did practice some with the team, I never played for them, #7-18, all true, #19 False, I have appeared in 1 short movie, 1 feature film, and numerous documentaries, #20 clearly, False

To see the following video, just click on the video, if there is a problem click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdLIerfXuZ4


The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net; I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry.  Believe me there is much more going on than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work.  Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the materials provided.

Click here to read about, and order the book, The Keystone Kid 


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There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.

Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org

Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew

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